Hornets Blogs: Hornets 24/7 is great. As is At The Hive. Not sure what their new names will be next season when the team becomes the Pelicans, but both are worth your time now and will be in the future too.

Talking Points: Tonight is a pretty big night for the Lakers. They trail the Jazz by .5 games for the 8th seed, but are even in the loss column. The Lakers face a Hornets group that has given them issues all season while Jazz host the Thunder in what is a pretty difficult game even though it’s in Salt Lake City. If the Lakers win and the Jazz lose, the 8th seed is back in the Lakers’ hands and their destiny is once again their own to control. If the Lakers lose and the Jazz win, the prospects of making the playoffs pretty much go down to zero.

Even if that’s a slight exaggeration, the facts are these: After tonight the Jazz will have 3 games, 2 of which are against the playing better but still vulnerable Timberwolves (one road, one home) and the Grizzlies (on the road). The Lakers, meanwhile will have 4 more games including a visit to Portland tomorrow and games against the always problematic Spurs, the Warriors, and the Rockets. Basically, the Lakers can’t expect any help and should set their goals at winning out. Even though the Jazz control their own destiny and could also clinch by winning out, losing one game — with tonight being one of the best chances — looks more than possible. Anything beyond that is a toss up (though that Memphis game has potential). So, while we’ll all be watching the Lakers’ game, keep one eye on the happenings in Utah tonight, folks. It really does matter.

As for winning this game against the Hornets there are a few keys:

Slow down Greivis Vasquez.

Stick to shooters around the arc.

Pound the ball inside offensively.

Get solid production from the few bench players who do see action.

Take care of the ball/avoid turnovers.

Vasquez is the key to the Hornets attack and has hurt the Lakers in every game this season. He’s a crafty pick and roll practitioner and finds cracks in the defense when attacking in isolation. He flashes an improved jumper, but his main goal is to get into the paint and either finish for himself or draw enough attention to hit a teammate for an open shot. Slowing him means keeping him out of the paint — which is easier said than done. He has a big body and knows how to use it, but Blake will need to play him aggressively and shade him to spots on the floor along the wing while always keeping him walled off via smart use of angles. There will be times where Blake gets beat, but if he can win this game within the game the Lakers will be much better off.

If Blake (along with Dwight and Pau behind him) can keep Vasquez from doing a lot of damage at the rim, the Lakers wings must do their jobs of sticking to shooters behind the arc and not get roped into no man’s land too close to the paint where they’re not helping, but not covering their own man. This is especially key against Eric Gordon and Ryan Anderson, but also against Roger Mason, Brian Roberts, and Xavier Henry. All three are capable of knocking down the outside shot and must be respected out there. Roberts, Henry, and Gordon have more diverse games and will put the ball on the floor so controlled closeouts are in order. Mason and Anderson must be run off the line at all costs and forced to create a shot off the dribble with the rest of the team reacting to them once the ball is put on the floor.

Offensively, the ball must go through the post. It doesn’t much matter if that’s through Dwight, Pau, or Kobe, but the ball must be worked 15 feet and in with quality shots obtained through discipline, but aggressive, ball movement. Both Dwight and Pau have the games to work-over their respective defenders and must be assertive in establishing position and then looking to make strong moves around the rim. Anthony Davis is the team’s only real shot blocker and while he must be respected inside, he lacks the ballast to keep Dwight (and even Pau) away from the rim if they get low and use their legs to drive for their position. The Lakers’ wings must recognize this and make the post entry on time when the bigs break open. Holding the ball even a beat too long may sacrifice the position established.

Kobe will likely see a combination of Gordon and Aminu (and maybe even Henry) on defense and while all can be good defenders, he must also work to exploit them by trying to get good shots from the FT line and below. Kobe’s been playing a ton of minutes lately and when he gets fatigued one of the areas that’s most affected is his shot selection. He starts to settle for long jumpers, especially form behind the arc, and those are the types of bail out shots the defense wants him taking. If he’s patient in his work off the ball and aggressive when handling it (either in the P&R or in isolation) he can get good looks or earn trips to the FT line. Both, as well as his playmaking, will be needed against an opponent that has typically been able to match the Lakers in points. So, as usual, Kobe will need to do it all.

As for the other Lakers, it will be nice to get Ron back tonight, even in a limited role (he’s expected to play around 20 minutes, though that’s just an estimate). If he can hit a few jumpers and play tough defense, he’ll be a net positive. Just his presence alone should inspire his mates. Where the Lakers need actual production is from Clark, Jamison, and Meeks. Clark has been great lately and more of that will be needed. His activity on both sides of the floor have provided a needed boost. Jamison has also been a solid contributor and his offense — both inside and out — will be helpful. Meeks, however, needs to find his game and quickly. His jumper has not been falling lately and while he works hard on defense, if he’s not hitting shots his utility as a player goes down dramatically. He’s been getting wide open looks, but just can’t seem to knock them down. That must change tonight.

Overall, this is a game that the Lakers should win, but it’s also one they must win. There are no more second chances for this team. There are 5 games left and getting them all is as close to a necessity as you can get. The only way to make that happen is to start with this game tonight.

Where you can watch: 7:30pm start time on TWC Sportsnet. Also listen on ESPN Radio 710AM.

Reader Interactions

Comments

Kobe Alert: OK – Kobe likes guarantees. The Kobe Alert is 10-5 in the first post, and I am going to try to get it there today. If it is in post #1, I am going to guarantee victory ! Last game Kobe moved by Dave Cowens for 59th on the Defensive Rebound list and is now pursuing Rick Mahorn for 58th. KB needs 8 more FGs to have 11,000 for his career (only 5 others have done it). He needs 2 more games played to catch Hakeem for 22nd. 786 to go until Kobe can be like Mike. Well, that and 5 + 1. Thanks to R, KenOak, and PurpleBlood for the shout outs – sorry first post did not work against the Clips – but today it is guaranteed !

hey darius: this must be fat tuesday, we’re playing new orleans aren’t we? at home no less.

not sure if these last few games of the regular season are further heightened by the lakers last gasp efforts to enter the nba playoffs this season or just the opposite is happening; ie., futile attempts at winning can be negated by a couple of wins by all that jazz – team that is.

emotionally, i’m spent. but then again, a little run of wins coupled with a couple of losses by the jazz can begin to peak my interest. i expect no less in this the most tumultuous laker season ever.

could be a lot to ask considering all the misbegotten injuries both physical and mental to all key laker players, do what you do best: keep laker nation on the edge of their seats.

I’m really, genuinely okay with the Lakers not making the playoffs and just using the extra time to heal, lick wounds, charge up, use this season as mental fuel, and get ready for next season (including, oh I don’t know, an actual training camp).

It seems the harder we tried, the longer we drag this out, the more injuries, awful luck, and bad chemistry we accrue. We lost Phil Jackson, LeBron is getting MVP#4 and ring #2, the Clippers (of all teams) are the Pacific champs, and the Lakers will likely miss the playoffs entirely. It’s been a nightmare season. I’m fine to just stop the bleeding, cut the losses, and heal up for one last strong run for Kobe’s 6th.

Well, the Jazz host the Thunder tonight so there is hope. But i agree with David, this season have been exhausting, never experience a season like this in 32 years. Even if tje Lakers dont make the playoffs i think we have a full postseason worth of tension, highs and lows. We just need to keep winning games but lets not forget that it have taken two huge comebacks to beat this team. Im not sure MWP coming back this early is healthy or wise. If he returns this quick he should be taken away for science research, unbeliavable.I think is safe to say this team cant lose one more game, a loss in any of yhis games is the nail in the coffing. Every game is an elimination game. In Vino we trust…

Dr Clapper, head surgeon at Cedars Hospital in LA, and often sits in the front near Jack, says the injury MWP has will not be worsened if he plays. He will have less strength and much less endurance due to what was done. If he has Kobe’s will he can play, but his minutes should be closely monitored.

for what its worth, my brother is a doctor who did a residency in sports medicine in Oklahoma some time ago and says a torn meniscus is a whole different matter and not nearly as severe as a torn ligament, which is why 4-6 weeks was way conservative. Haven’t asked him if two weeks seems plausible, but its clear that he said a torn meniscus was not a very bad injury.

Harvey M-
Meniscus can be a longer heal time depending on how bad the tear is. This is because you have to keep weight off the knee for longer to allow the meniscus to heal. I had an acl tear and a meniscus tear and the rehab on the meniscus was a couple weeks longer than the acl.

Right now the only numbers that are important are the ones under the Win-Loss columns for the Lakers. And the Lakers need to win all of their remaining games to make the post season. Do or die time continues for my Lakers.

what happened to that HOU-PHX ending? seems weird…
anyways, i agree that we should win all our remaining games, without excuses, to make it to the playoffs.
we could be facing OKC in round 1, since we will beat spurs to pull them down in the standings.
whatever happens, it was really a weird season for this laker team, full of disappointment due to injury bug (i could say also for bad coaching hire – imagine if PJ was handling this team, he put a primed Kobe in a position to win against PHX in playoffs in yesteryears when Kobe is playing with Smush and company.)

again, no excuses. this is really a sad season for me. 🙁
only miracle can save our team.

And just like that, a 10 pt. lead has been erased and we’re now tied. Right on cue. Unbelievable. Letting the same thing happen game after game speaks of low basketball IQ. How do you not learn from your mistakes when EVERYONE points out the same thing? Stu just even said it. They’ve blown big leads all season long. How is it even possible to let the same thing keep happening? Figure it out!!! SMH

This is the second straight game that Dwight has been invisible on the boards. He has 2 defensive boards so far in 18 mins. He had 4 total rebounds against the Clippers. He needs to step up his activity.

Nice coaching there. Meeks can’ t guard gorden! Get Metta in there. Stop giving ball to Dwight. Shoot the ball Kobe. Take control. Get Geeks out of there. Are you stupid Coach. Holy crud. Is he the dumbest coach ever.

2nd quarter turned into a layup drill when Pau went out started with Gordon and Vasquez then the onslaught continued. All this talent going to waste.

Too many times a 34 year old is asked to provide the spark for this team to get them going. 27 year player in his prime can’t jumpstart this team in any way. It was telling when D’Antoni said playing Kobe 48 minutes is Lakers best chance of winning. Dwight needs to do more. Another whopping 4 rebounds for him at half in another crucial game.

The west is a whole different animal than the east can the Lakers rely on Dwight to have them in contention every year? Lakers franchise players have always been game changers it took more than 1 star to win but each in their own right were game changers. Dwight needs to impact the game more he’s not imposing his will like he should.

4 rebounds doesn’t cut it and Gordon and Vasquez waltzing into the paint with no fear of hitting the deck also is alarming. Dwight hasn’t floored anybody this season. The way this season has gone if Bynum were still on the team he would’ve put a guard on his backside. A mean streak is needed in Dwight’s game to hit that level we know he can get too.

Kobe needs to make his presence felt in this 2nd half. He’s allowing Gordon (who has always defended him well by making Kobe earn everything) to push him further away from the basket. Kobe, more than likely, will also have to accept the challenge of guarding Gordon.

Coach, how do you ask Earl Clark, a player that has never played consistently in the NBA other than the games he’s played with the Lakers, to play multiple positions: center, pf, sf and defense on off guards.

A coach must put a player in a position to get the most out of him, and he is not doing that with Clark in this game.

My poor Lakers they just can not stand prosperity. This season is taxing me, so I know it has to have drained the entire organization.

I have been relatively benign in my comments about MDA but as things were getting away from the Lakers in the 2nd D’Antoni finally called a timeout. Agree with earlier comments that he should have stopped the bleeding earlier but of far more concern to me is a concern about his temprament. When things are not going well he can be counted on to display his dissatisfaction for all the world to see, especially his players.

His “I just bit into a lemon” hangdog frown hardly inspires confidence for fan or player alike. This may seem like a nit but I think it underscores a leadership failing. From my perspective his “aw shucks” funny guy persona in interviews belies his true personality which seems far too insecure and negative to provide the calmness and confidence effective leadership requires. Moreover, this quality is seen in almost every game so hardly unique to tonight but felt that it warranted a mention. Perhaps it’s only a cosmetic thing but I am convinced it is something deeper.

Ken – Yes I do want Dwight Howard. He’s leading the league in rebounding for one thing. He hits over 55% of his shots for another. And, he’s a lousy free throw shooter like other HOF centers who have come before him. (I don’t need to name names, do I?)

By the way, what alternative do you suggest? The Lakers could offer a max deal to Bynum to sit on the bench in a suit all the time.

Funky,
Even though I totally agree with you, I think we just need to sadly accept that this is who this team is. Normally, I would be annoyed like you about struggling to beat a crappy NO team at home in a game of this magnitude with our playoff lives on the line. But this is not a championship contending team like we’ve come to expect year after year. We are who we are. A mediocre team at best. So maybe I shouldn’t be disappointed that we barely won this game, and should simply be happy that we won at all. Man, I can’t believe how this season has made me change my perspective.

Oh well, one down and 4 to go. On to Rip City for our last chance this season to sweep a b2b. Let’s get it done.

Hard to watch that one. Its really scrambled and random and just a lot of kicking and scratching, with no confidence that they are a functioning team, just getting by on the fact that their experience will pull them through. Doesn’t feel like they can sustain that against good teams and really feels that despite the win they are back in a funk.

I really felt after that game in Indy where Kobe went down they had a bit of a run going and some steam. Then there was that bad loss in Phoenix on the back to back with the 7 guys running and then really the key game of the season where they faced the wizards (who by the way are on a pretty decent run over the last 30 or so) and you had that bad game where Kobe and Pau really struggled coming back off injuries. And then you lose Metta and Nash and again its a new rotation and a new chemistry on court. Feels like a real struggle out there, but maybe, somehow, they can build on this one.

We all know what happens on the second game of a back to back. Its going to be tough to win in Portland where the lakers always have trouble winning. Also, how is gasol outplaying howard, the future franchise player?

I read in the ESPN recap that Kobe lead a desperate rally to keep LA “slim” playoffs hope alive and that they are tied with Utah, who wrote this stuff? i guess that moron dont know that Utah lost tonight.

we definitely need to add 1 bench player tomorrow, just a breather for our olds.
this was a good win, we should continue this focus and come up with desperation tomorrow at Rip City. every game counts.

Zirk, I’m with you 100%. Based on record, margin of victory/loss, or any other metric you want to use, this year’s Lakers are a very mediocre team. Rather than holding them to the same standard as previous years where the championship has seemed like a legitimate goal, I’ve been trying to appreciate getting victories at all, rather than continuing to be negative. The team has been frustrating this year so far, but what’s been almost as frustrating is the constant stream of negativity coming from the chats. I’m not talking about you here, Zirk, this is more directed towards the forum in general. For those using this chat thread as a stream of consciousness twitter-like place to rant every couple of minutes really saps any enjoyment I used to have about coming to this site. And it’s unfortunate. Teams have worse seasons than this ALL the time and perhaps we need to be grateful for the positive things we HAVE been privileged to see both this season and in seasons past.

batman, I’m so happy that MDA has started to use his timeouts to give a short bench rest, I’ve been advocating for him to use that simple strategy for some time now.

david h-you’ve been on quite a roll, the dog gets sick of watching the Lakers lose decides to go for a walk and when you return the Lakers win…boom! Make sure your dog gets plenty to eat and drink so he can keep his record intact.

That was one quality play when Pau went down on his knees and made that pass to Jamison whom made himself available to receive that pass and score.

Far better to have Clark on the floor in the waning minutes of the game instead of Jodie because he will shoot a 3pt shot at a crucial point in the game. Clark didn’t score but he impacted the game when he wasn’t in foul trouble.

Good to see MWP back on the floor, he wasn’t in the game long before a tussle broke out. Welcome back MWP. He’s too sexy for his cat.